Letters to the editor for Thursday, November 22, 2012

Thursday

Nov 22, 2012 at 12:01 AM

. We give thanks to all the men and women who are without their families this Thanksgiving, protecting the United States of America and all our freedoms.

Recently, Bethune-Cookman University invited the Daytona Metropolitan Bridge Club to tour their university. The tour was organized by Bethune's community relations director, Daisy Grimes. Everything was done to assure our comfort and enjoyment. A bus was sent to pick up about 50 of our members. We were given a tour of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune's homestead and burial site. The house was built in 1913; it is remarkably well-maintained and contains Bethune's furniture and many personal belongings. Bethune lived in the house until her death in 1955. Eleanor Roosevelt, a close friend of Bethune, stayed in the home when she visited Daytona Beach. There are hundreds of pictures which capture Bethune's life and accomplishments, and the fascinating array of individuals who were influenced by her. Her gravesite is located within 50 feet of the homestead. We also toured the university's impressive library, which houses an emotionally charged exhibit of the Rosewood, Florida, massacre which occurred in 1923. Rosewood, a primarily black community near Cedar Key, was burned to the ground by mobs of angry whites. Some were killed by lynching and many others died in the fire; in addition, the residents who did escape were in fear of their lives and in need of immediate shelter. After the tour we were treated to a delicious lunch and had the opportunity to hear from several members of their prestigious faculty. At the luncheon we were amazed to find out that one of our bridge club members, Senorita Locklear, worked as Mary Bethune's administrative assistant and was the last person to see her alive. Under the leadership of Dr. Edison O. Jackson, the university is attempting to reach out to other community organizations and create partnership. Having lived in this area for nearly 25 years, I was humbled that I have never taken the time to understand and appreciate the impact of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune. I would encourage all citizens of Volusia County to take pride in this national treasure and tour this impressive and historical university.

JIM GEARY

Ormond Beach

Geary is president of the Daytona Metropolitan Bridge Club.

Thanksgiving is the holiday between Halloween and Christmas, but somehow it gets lost until the day after — "Black Friday." Why? Thanksgiving Day was so important to our forefathers who were so thankful to be in America — with just a few possessions, but in freedom. Yet to many, Thanksgiving is just the start of sales, sales and more sales — which store opens the earliest and closes the latest. Is that all holidays mean? Where is the true spirit? Perhaps there are those who are not as fortunate, who can't say "Happy Thanksgiving" or give thanks, but many are. I'm most grateful for my son, family, friends — and to live in America, We may complain but it is still the greatest country in the world! So let me give thanks, and wish Happy Thanksgiving to all — and God bless America!

MARIANNE MAURICIO

New Smyrna Beach

Cici Brown said in Monday's News-Journal article about the Brown Museum for Florida Art that people will be "blown away" by the museum. I'm already blown away by the photo on page 1 of The News-Journal on Monday. The barn theme reminds me of my Great-Grandfather Parrish's barn in Parrish, Fla., where I grew up. Thanks to the Browns for choosing an architect who knows the real Florida!

JESSIE PARRISH MORLAND

DeLand

Thanks to the DeLand High School Band, directed by Daniel Cook, for continuing community support — and especially for playing for the DeLand Naval Air Station Museum's 70th anniversary of the opening of the DeLand Naval Air Station, on Saturday, Nov. 17.

Apparently, community support has long been a tradition for DHS and the band. On Nov. 17, 1942, the band played for the opening of the naval base, with its director, John Heney, having already joined the Navy. So, to Principal Mitch Moyer, Cook, and especially those 80 or more band members who gave up their Saturday morning to show their patriotic support, we say: "Well done!"

JACK FORTES

DeLand

Fortes was stationed at the DeLand Naval Air Station and is a charter member of the museum.

Now that the elections are behind us, let us refocus on our real heroes. Our son, Josh Bernstein, is serving his 4th tour of duty with the Army's 3rd Infantry, this time in Afghanistan. We give thanks to all the men and women who are without their families this Thanksgiving, protecting the United States of America and all our freedoms.

Keep in mind, also, the wives, husbands, mothers and fathers who worry every day for their loved ones to keep out of harm's way.